In just about everything we do, process is critical.

Why should a home search be any different? While many kinds of shopping can be done casually and slowly, shopping for a home—a piece of real estate—is entirely different. I work with buyers all the time and if there is one key indicator of success, it’s following the correct process from start to finish. If a buyer puts together a plan with their agent, and executes it, they will complete their goal.

Now, I’m not trying to make finding a home sound like some complex and scary task. Finding a home for your family to live in is a really, really fun thing to do. But it’s even more fun if the nerves are minimal and you know what you’re doing. And that’s where I come in!

As fun as the #HomeHunt is, there are necessary tactics needed to ensure a smooth ride to the finish line.

Timing

This can be one element that can cloak the entire process in stress and anxiety from the beginning if planned improperly. Sometimes it can’t be avoided, but often it can. You need to reach out to a real estate professional at least six months prior to buying a home.

This means if your lease is up October 31, you should be reaching out by the end of April at the latest. Doing so will allow myself to put together a comprehensive plan for you so there are no surprises by the time you buy your new property. Were you planning on buying a condo that allows your 140-pound mastiff? Well, let me tell you about condo restrictions in that area, it might change things.

Pro Tip: Don’t want to be stuck with a double payment? No Problem! Did you know that your first mortgage payment isn’t due until the month after the following month you close?

Example: You close on Aug. 5^th, your first mortgage payment isn’t due until October 1^st!

Often this bumps up the time frame we should be looking, as inventory is tight and it can take a few weeks longer to find a home than in other market conditions.

A timeline could look like this for someone who has a lease ending October 31:

July 1 - Start looking for homes.

July 31 - Locate a home and write an offer.

August 1 – Offer is Accepted (yay!)

September 1 – Closing (you get the keys. You’re a home owner!)

October 31 – Lease is up

November 1 – First Mortgage Payment is Due

Pick the Right Lender

This is critical, as not all lenders are the same. Picking the wrong one could put your transaction in jeopardy, have you paying too much on rate and/or closing costs, and make the transaction a lot more stressful.

My advice? Go with your real estate agent’s recommendation for a lender. If you trust your agent to guide you through the process, then let them introduce you to another great professional. This is one of the more crucial areas in having a successful, smooth closing.

Ride The Waves of the #HomeHunt

This tip is something I always prep clients for: buying a home can be emotionally exhausting. As your agent, I can do everything in my power to make it a great experience: set expectations, get crystal clear on what you’re looking for, show a home the right way, advise you on price and other factors, introduce you to the right lender, etc.  But if that home you LOVE has 10 offers on it the first day it is on the market, that is stressful and frustrating!

Look, we can’t control how the market behaves. Just the way we react to it. So, if we know from the beginning that we might have to ride some waves and things could get a bit crazy out there—it makes those ups and downs more bearable.

I always remind my clients that just because some frustrations pop up along the way does NOT mean that we won’t find them a great home! Patience is key here, and it’s another reason why reaching out early and starting the process from at least 6 months out is crucial.

I hope you enjoyed my post on the process of buying a home in 2019. If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate in 2019 in the Milwaukee area, please reach out to me!